Housing Market Trends

From the First American Economic Center

The First American Economic Center has you covered with in-depth analysis and expert insights on the latest data and trends in the industry.

Recent Posts by Mark Fleming

Mark Fleming is the chief economist for First American Financial Corporation and leads First American’s Decision Sciences team.

How Will Rising Mortgage Rates Impact Spring Home-Buying?

By Mark Fleming on January 24, 2022
In November, year-over-year nominal house price appreciation reached 21.5 percent, the sixth consecutive month it has set a new record. According to our Real House Price Index (RHPI) - which measures housing affordability based on changes in income, interest rates and nominal house prices - affordability declined 21.0 percent compared with a year ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Millennials Remain Driving Force in Housing Market Potential

By Mark Fleming on January 19, 2022
The final Potential Home Sales Model report of 2021 revealed that market potential ended the year on a strong note. While the winter months are traditionally real estate’s slow season, our measure of the market potential for existing-home sales showed the housing market again broke with traditional seasonal patterns by ending the year strong. In ... Read More

Interest Rates Potential Home Sales Tenure

Affordability Falls to its Lowest Level Since 2008

By Mark Fleming on December 27, 2021
Affordability sank to its lowest level since 2008 in October, as two of the three key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI) swung in favor of reduced affordability relative to one year ago. Higher mortgage rates and record year-over-year nominal house price growth triggered a nearly 20 percent jump in the RHPI (rising RHPI values indicate ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Will Rising Mortgage Rates Slow Sales?

By Mark Fleming on December 22, 2021
In November 2021, housing market potential decreased modestly month-over-month to a 6.26 million seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR), according to our Potential Home Sales (PHS) model. Housing market potential in November increased 7.2 percent compared with one year ago and remains significantly higher than the pre-pandemic level. Demand ... Read More

Interest Rates Potential Home Sales Tenure

Why House Prices Still Have Room to Run

By Mark Fleming on November 30, 2021
According to the Real House Price Index (RHPI), which measures housing affordability in the context of changes in consumer house-buying power, affordability in September declined to its lowest level since 2008. Two of the three components of consumer house-buying power swung toward declining affordability. Record nominal house price growth and ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Why Housing Market Potential Keeps Rising

By Mark Fleming on November 22, 2021
In September 2021, existing-home sales increased to a 6.29 million seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR). Prior to the pandemic, the housing market had not reached this sales pace since 2006. We may see another strong month in October, as housing market potential increased 10.3 percent compared with one year ago to 6.27 million (SAAR), ... Read More

Interest Rates Potential Home Sales Tenure